Mamata defies EC transfer order, says ready to go to jail

Kolkata: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has refused to carry out the instruction of the Election Commission, which has ordered immediate removal of eight officials including five Superintendents of Police and one District Magistrate from poll duties.

Banerjee, who refused to carry out the Election Commission’s instruction, said she was even prepared to go to jail.

“Let you take the role of Chief Minister. Mamata Banerjee doesn't care for power. You take care of law and order then but I will not take any responsibility. I have not come to power by your mercy or Congress,” she said.

Banerjee said that she is prepared to be arrested and go to jail.

“What will they do to me for saying this? I will be arrested and go to jail at most,” she said.

The Trinamool Congress (TMC) supremo accused the Election Commission of playing into the hands of Congress and BJP, saying the transfers had been ordered without consulting the state government.

"I came to know in this meeting that the EC has given order for transfer of five SPs without consulting the state government and the names of their replacement have also been announced (by EC)," she said.

"I respect the Election Commission. But I will not bow down. I ask, will you only listen to what Congress will say in order to facilitate victory of Congress, BJP?” she added.

Banerjee, who was addressing a rally in Jamalpur in Burdwan district, further said, “I respect you but not by bowing my head. You control law and order. I have no objection. Don't blame Mamata Banerjee if there is any problem. Either Mamata Banerjee will look after law and order or the Election commission will look after law and order.”

“I challenge the Election Commission, which I have never done before. You go and take steps in Narendra Modi's state or from where Sonia Gandhi is contesting. After that you lay your hands on us," she added.

Meanwhile, state chief electoral officer Sunil Gupta said, “The Election Commission removed a DM and five SPs from their poll duties following complaints against them.”

Gupta said that the removed SPs in the run-up to the Lok Sabha polls were R K Yadav of Malda, Humayun Kabir of Murshidabad, S M H Mirza of Burdwan, Bharati Ghosh of West Midnapore and Jhargram police district and Sanjay Bansal, DM, North 24 Paraganas.

“The EC has asked the state Chief Secretary Sanjay Mitra to execute the order immediately,” he added.

Gupta said the SP of Birbhum Alok Rajoria has been transferred to fill up the vacant post of SP of Jhargram police district. The Election Commission also transferred a District Election Officer, an ADM and a returning officer.